Gymnastics

Grace, power, and precision - gymnastics is one of the most dynamic sports to watch, and you can stream every flip, leap, and routine live on Eurovision Sport.

• Artistic gymnastics: men's and women's events including floor, vault, uneven bars, rings, and pommel horse.
• Rhythmic gymnastics: individual and group routines using ribbon, hoop, ball, clubs, and rope.
• Trampoline gymnastics: high-flying individual and synchronized routines.
• Acrobatic gymnastics: pairs and groups perform lifts, balances, and throws with incredible coordination.
• Aerobic gymnastics: fast-paced performances blending dance, strength, and endurance.

Artistic Gymnastics

Artistic gymnastics is the most well-recognised form of the sport, combining athleticism and choreography across a range of apparatus. Men and women compete in separate events, each with unique challenges.

• Men's events include floor, pommel horse, rings, vault, parallel bars, and horizontal bar.
• Women's events include vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise.
• Routines showcase strength, control, and style through powerful tumbles, holds, and transitions.
• Famous gymnasts like Simone Biles, Max Whitlock, and Nastia Liukin have delivered unforgettable performances that redefined what's possible in the sport.
• Iconic moments include Biles' historic Yurchenko double pike vault and Whitlock's gold-winning pommel routine at the Olympics.
• Watch top-level artistic gymnastics live on Eurovision Sport, including world and European championships.

Who Invented Gymnastics

Artistic gymnastics has a long and evolving history, rooted in physical training traditions and transformed into a global sport.

• Originated in ancient Greece as part of military training focused on strength and agility.
• Formalised in the early 19th century by German educator Friedrich Ludwig Jahn, known as the "father of modern gymnastics."
• Artistic Gymnastics is an Olympic sport since the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 (men only).
• Women's artistic gymnastics was added to the Olympic programme in 1928 at the Amsterdam Games.
• The sport has grown to become one of the most-watched Olympic events, with a global competitive circuit throughout the year.

Artistic Gymnastic Scoring

Artistic gymnastics routines are judged based on both the skills performed and how well they're executed. Each routine gets two main scores:

Score Type	Description
Difficulty Score	Reflects the complexity and combinations included in the routine.
Execution Score	Starts at 10.0, with deductions for mistakes like falls, wobbles, or poor form.
Final Score	The total of the Difficulty and Execution scores.

Artistic Gymnastics Code of Points

The Code of Points is the rulebook judges use to score routines, assigning difficulty values and outlining deductions for mistakes.

What Are the Rules of Artistic Gymnastics

Artistic gymnastics follows set rules for routine length, apparatus use, and performance structure to ensure fairness and consistency.

Rule	Description
Routine Length	Men's: max 70 seconds Women's: ~ 90 seconds
Apparatus	Gymnasts perform on designated apparatus based on gender (e.g. beam for women, rings for men).
Start and Finish	Routines must begin and end with control, including a salute to the judges.
Performance Rules	Must include required elements, with no assistance and an emphasis on fluidity and control.

Artistic Vs Rhythmic Gymnastics

Artistic and rhythmic gymnastics are two distinct disciplines, each with its own style, equipment, and competition format. Though they share the same stage at major events, they require very different techniques and training.

• Artistic gymnastics includes both men's and women's events; rhythmic gymnastics is currently contested only by women at the Olympics.
• Artistic uses apparatus like vault, bars, rings, and beam; rhythmic uses ribbon, hoop, ball, clubs, and rope.
• Artistic focuses on strength, acrobatics, and apparatus transitions; rhythmic highlights grace, flexibility, and musical expression.

Rhythmic Gymnastics

Rhythmic gymnastics blends dance, flexibility, and apparatus handling in choreographed routines set to music.

• Apparatus include ribbon, ball, hoop, clubs, and optionally rope.
• Events are divided into individual routines and group performances with multiple gymnasts.
• Emphasis is on grace, coordination, and timing, with routines showcasing expressive movement and technical skill.
• Only women compete at the Olympic level, in both individual and group events.

When Did Rhythmic Gymnastics Start

Rhythmic gymnastics began in early 20th-century Europe and evolved into a competitive sport, gaining Olympic status in the 1980s.

• First world championship held in 1963 in Budapest.
• Became an Olympic sport in 1984, debuting in Los Angeles.

What Are the Rules of Rhythmic Gymnastics

Rhythmic gymnastics routines follow specific rules for time, apparatus use, and performance quality, all set to music and judged on both technique and artistry.

Rule	Details
Routine Duration	Individual: 75-90 seconds Group: 2.15 - 2.30 minutes
Apparatus Used	Ribbon, hoop, ball, clubs, and optionally rope
Required Elements	Throws, catches, balances, pivots, and movement combinations
Judging Criteria	Based on execution, artistry, and apparatus handling set to musical rhythm

How Long Is the Ribbon in Rhythmic Gymnastics

In rhythmic gymnastics, the ribbon is designed to create flowing, continuous patterns and must meet specific size and material standards.

• For senior-level competition, the ribbon must be at least 6 metres long.
• It's attached to a stick 50-60 cm in length, made of wood, plastic, or fibreglass.
• The ribbon itself is made from lightweight satin or similar fabric for smooth movement.

Acrobatic Gymnastics

Acrobatic gymnastics is a high-energy discipline where pairs or groups perform choreographed routines featuring lifts, balances, and tumbling on a spring floor.

• Performed in pairs and groups
• Routines include balance elements (holds and poses) and dynamic elements (throws, catches, flips).
• Each athlete has a specific role, such as base or flyer, requiring strong teamwork and trust.
• Performed to music, combining acrobatics and artistic choreography.

Is Acrobatic Gymnastics an Olympic Sport

Acrobatic gymnastics is not currently part of the Olympic Games, but it is officially recognised by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) and features in major international competitions.

How are Acrobatic Gymnasts Scored

Acrobatic gymnastics routines are scored using three main components that reflect both technical skill and performance quality.

• Difficulty: Measures the complexity of lifts, balances, and tumbling elements.
• Execution Judges how cleanly and accurately the routine is performed.
• Artistry: Evaluates choreography, musicality, and overall presentation.

All Around Gymnastics

The "all-around" in gymnastics refers to athletes who compete on every apparatus, testing their skill and versatility. The gymnast with the highest combined score wins.

• Men compete on six apparatus: Floor, pommel horse, vault, rings, parallel bars and high bar
• Women compete on four apparatus: Floor, vault, bars, and beam
• All-around titles are among the most prestigious in the sport.
• Scoring combines results from each apparatus into one total.
• Famous all-around champions include Simone Biles and Kohei Uchimura
• All-around events are a highlight of World Championships, European Championships, and the Olympic Games.

Trampoline Championships

Trampoline gymnastics is a fast-paced discipline where athletes perform flips and twists at impressive heights. It's featured in major FIG world events and championships, as well as the Olympics.

• Includes individual, synchronised, and sometimes freestyle competitions.
• Routines showcase multiple somersaults, twists, and precise landings.
• Synchronised events involve two athletes performing in unison.
• Judged on difficulty, execution, and time in the air.
• Included in the 2000 Olympics

Synchronised Trampoline

Synchronised trampoline is a unique event where two gymnasts perform the same routine at the same time on separate trampolines.

• Both athletes must match timing, height, and technique throughout the routine.
• Scoring includes execution, difficulty, and synchronisation.
• Even small timing differences can lead to deductions.
• Requires strong communication, trust, and practice between partners.

Scoring In Trampolining

Trampoline routines are scored using three main components that reflect how difficult, clean, and controlled the performance is. Each routine is carefully judged for both skill and precision.

• Difficulty: Measures the complexity of flips, twists, and combinations.
• Execution: Judges how cleanly the routine is performed, with deductions for form breaks or mistakes.
• Time of Flight (ToF): Tracks how long the athlete stays in the air, more airtime means higher scores.

Watch Gymnastics

You can watch all major gymnastics disciplines (artistic, rhythmic, trampoline, and acrobatic) live and on demand for free on Eurovision Sport. Coverage includes World and European Championships, featuring top athletes and full event replays.